Beverage container sleeve

ABSTRACT

A beverage container sleeve has a construction that simulates the appearance of a folded pocket square design when the sleeve is placed in a traditional suit pocket, or a pocket of any other garment. The sleeve has a cover that is collapsible to a generally flat configuration. The cover has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end for receiving a beverage container. The open end has an edge that is formed to define a profile of a folded pocket square. The sleeve has indicia imprinted onto the outer surface of the cover to simulate a folded pocket square when the sleeve is slid into a pocket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage container sleeves, and more particularly to a beverage container sleeve construction having a simulative pocket square.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverage container sleeves, generally known as “koozies,” are used to maintain the temperature of a beverage in a beverage container. Such sleeves are designed to keep the beverage cold or hot, while still allowing the user to comfortably hold the beverage container. The sleeves are conventionally cylindrically shaped and manufactured from foam, neoprene, or similar lightweight and resiliently compressible, insulating material. The sleeves slide onto the beverage container and the compressible nature of the sleeve permits use on differently sized containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved beverage container sleeve with a construction that provides a simulative appearance of a folded pocket square design when the sleeve is placed in a traditional suit pocket, or a pocket of any other garment.

In general, in one aspect, a beverage container sleeve has a cover that is collapsible to a generally flat configuration. The cover has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end for receiving a beverage container. The open end has an edge that is formed to define a profile of a folded pocket square. The sleeve has indicia imprinted onto the outer surface of the cover to simulate a folded pocket square when the sleeve is slid into a pocket.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more notable features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in several ways. Also, should be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments the invention for illustrative discussion of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for an understanding of the invention. The description taken with the drawings, making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container sleeve that is constructed in accordance to an embodiment of the invention, the opposite side of the sleeve being a mirror image;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a beverage container sleeve that is constructed in accordance to an embodiment of the invention, shown without indicia;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a beverage container sleeve that is constructed in accordance to an embodiment of the invention, shown slid into a pocket of a garment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, elevation view of the beverage container sleeve slid into the pocket;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a beverage container sleeve that is constructed in accordance to another embodiment of the invention, the opposite side being a mirror image;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a beverage container sleeve that is constructed in accordance to another embodiment of the invention, the opposite side being a mirror image; and

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a beverage container sleeve that is constructed in accordance to another embodiment of the invention, the opposite side being a mirror image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is representatively shown a perspective view of a beverage container sleeve 10 that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the opposite side being a mirror image. As shown, and as explained herein, sleeve 10 has a new construction such that when the sleeve is slid into a pocket of a garment, it appears the person is wearing a decorative pocket square. Additionally, the sleeve 10 functions as a traditional beverage container sleeve, such as those often referred to as a “koozie.”

Sleeve 10 has a cover 12 that can be tubular or cylindrically shaped, when expanded, with a closed end 14, an open end 16 for receiving a beverage container, an outer surface 18, and an inner surface 20. Conventionally, the cover 12 may be manufactured from foam, neoprene, or similar lightweight and resiliently compressible, insulating material. As shown, the cover 12 is collapsible into a generally flat configuration. In alternative embodiments, the cover 12 can be open at both ends.

The open end 16 has a peripheral edge 22 that is shaped or otherwise formed to correspond with a profile of a pocket square that has been folded into a desired decorative shape. As shown, in the representatively illustrated embodiment, the edge 22 is shaped to corresponded to the profile of a pocket square having a two-point fold. Indicia 24 is imprinted or otherwise placed onto the outer surface 18 to represent the look of a real pocket square folded into the design corresponding to the shape of edge 22. As shown here, indicia 24 includes markings that represent fold lines and stitching. As a comparison, and to better illustrate the indicia 24 and edge 22, cover 12 is shown in FIG. 2 without indicia. Additionally, while not show, in embodiments, the outer surface 18 may have various color prints or patterns.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, sleeve 10 is shown inserted into a pocket 26 of a suit jacket 28, thereby simulating a pocket square. It is important to note that the cover 12 of sleeve 10 is slid into pocket 26 such that the edge 22 and indicia 24 are visible above the pocket opening.

It should be appreciated that the simulated pocket square design is not limited to the two-point fold as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Rather, sleeve 10 is capable of being formed to simulate various pocket square folds. For example, other possible designs are shown in FIGS. 5-6, wherein in each figure, the sleeve 10 is shown in elevation with the opposite side being a mirror image.

It is also contemplated that the folded pocket square design could be simulated by forming cover 12 with layers of material that are arranged to provide a three-dimensional appearance.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A beverage container sleeve comprising: a cover that is collapsible to a generally flat configuration, said cover having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end for receiving a beverage container; said open end having an edge formed to define a profile of a folded pocket square; and indicia imprinted on said outer surface to simulate a folded pocket square, thereby causing cover to have a simulative appearance of a folded pocket square.
 2. The beverage container insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein said cover is made of an insulating material.
 3. A method of simulating the appearance of a folded pocket square in a pocket, the method comprising: providing a beverage container sleeve comprising a cover that is collapsible to a generally flat configuration, said cover having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end for receiving a beverage container; said open end having an edge formed to define a profile of a folded pocket square; and indicia imprinted on said outer surface to simulate a folded pocket square; and positioning said cover in a pocket of a garment with said open end extending beyond the pocket opening so that said edge and at least a portion of said indicia are visible above the pocket opening, thereby providing a simulative appearance of a folded pocket square disposed in the pocket of the garment.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said cover is made of an insulating material. 